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His movements were unreal. You’d never expect a person with such a laid-back attitude to suddenly appear so deadly!

There were only three dogs left. Two of them were immediately taken down by Mama Sonia’s arrows, and the last one was struck down by a relentless barrage from Miss Elrose’s tonfas.

Miss Elrose’s movements, too, were unbelievably beautiful and powerful! It was hard to believe this was the same person who always carried herself with such neatness and grace.

(What is this? What is going on?!)

I was completely taken aback, but I forced myself to look around and keep moving forward.

Apparently, there were more Demonic Beasts than I’d initially counted. In total, there were 14 dogs and 12 bats scattered across the area.

(So this is Amukham… This is the strength of the people of Amukham. The village of warriors!!)

I was caught somewhere between confusion, relief, and disbelief. But even through that haze, the moment I saw Mama Sonia safe and sound, relief and joy washed over me all at once, and I just rushed over to her.

“Mama Sonia!!”
“Susie? Oh my, Susie! What’s wrong?! Did you just get here?”
“Mama! Mama Sonia! I’m so glad! I’m so glad you’re okay, Mama Sonia!!”

I ran straight to her wheelchair and wrapped my arms around her. Was I squeezing her too hard? Would it hurt if I hugged her like this while she sat in her chair?

I thought that, but I couldn’t help it. I was just too happy. I was just so relieved. For a moment, I really thought it was over. I really thought I’d never see Mama Sonia again.

(Ah, I’m going to cry…)

Her scent… the warmth of her body… it filled me with peace.

(Just a little longer… please… let me stay like this just a little longer.)

“Susie… Were you worried about me?” Mama Sonia asked gently as she patted my head. I nodded, my face still buried in her lap. I had been really, really worried.

“Thank you, Susie. I’m sorry for worrying you…”

I shook my head to the sides quickly. She didn’t need to apologize! It was all fine now that she was okay! I didn’t lift my face. I just answered with another shake of my head, still pressed into her lap. If I looked at her right now, I would cry!

“Susie… Hey, Susie.” Mama Sonia’s hand stroked my hair gently as she spoke with a soft, happy voice.
“Huh? What?” I mumbled into her lap, clinging even tighter, pressing my face against her, acting cute.
“You called me mama just now, didn’t you? Mama Sonia.”

I completely froze.

(Ahhh! That’s not good! It just slipped out!)

I’d always called her that in my head… but I had never said it out loud!

(Oh no! This is so embarrassing! She won’t think that I’m being too shameless, will she? It’s fine, right? Arhhh! I can’t lift my head!)

“Susie, can you please call me that again? Please, Susie.”

(Ah… This is so embarrassing.)

Even though I was embarrassed, Mama Sonia kept gently stroking my hair and asking me sweetly. At least it didn’t seem like she thought I was being too brazen… but still, I felt too embarrassed. Slowly and nervously, I lifted my head to look at her.

“Mama… Sonia.”

I gave it my best shot. I was sure my face was bright red. Then, Mama Sonia pulled me into a tight hug.

“Thank you, Susie! Thank you! I’m so happy, Susie! I’m so truly happy!”

She held me close, rubbing her cheek against mine, repeating over and over again how happy she was. Eventually, Mama Sonia turned to Miss Elrose and Gilbert, her face beaming.

“Look! Elrose, Gilbert! This is my daughter! This is my daughter, Susie!” She said to them with such pride and joy.

Both gave her a soft smile.

“We know, ma’am,” Miss Elrose said gently.
“Good for you, miss,” Gilbert said with a warm gaze.

Mama Sonia’s eyes glistened with emotion. As I leaned my head on her shoulder and wrapped my arms around her again, I felt completely enveloped in happiness.

But now wasn’t the time to bask in the aftertaste of that happiness. I gently pulled myself away from Mama Sonia, though every part of me wanted to stay close. She, too, seemed reluctant to let me go, her hand stretched out toward my cheek until the distance between us made it impossible to reach.

“Mama Sonia, I have to go.”

With those words, I drew my sword from my belt, aimed it at the edge of a bush in the garden, and released a blast of sword chi.

The chi struck its target instantly. A lurking dog. The moment the chi hit, the dog exploded.

The adults nearby widened their eyes in shock. “Whoa!” they exclaimed. I walked straight over to the spot where the dog had been hiding. There, next to it, lay a small creature, wounded, breathing heavily, and unable to move.

I crouched down and gently scooped it into both hands. Then I carried it back to where Mama Sonia was. Miss Elrose came beside me and peered down at the creature.

“Miss, what is that?” she asked.
“This is Argernon. Bibi’s familiar.”

This was Bibi’s familiar, Argernon. His tiny body was covered in wounds and scars.

Argernon’s skin was torn in several places, with deep, ragged wounds that looked like they’d been gouged out by fangs. His once-beautiful white fur was stained a vivid red.

Did you come to find me? You came to ask for help even in that state?

Miss Elrose looked on and murmured with a sad tone, “He can’t hold on anymore…”

She was right. He was beyond saving. Treatment wouldn’t be enough for him. Yes, “treatment” alone wouldn’t suffice. Which is why I decided to use Heal. Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve used Heal since arriving in this world. You should be honored, Argernon. You’ll be the first one I use Heal on in this world.

I gently shifted Argernon onto my left hand, extended my right, and began to cast Heal. A soft pillar of light rose, surrounding Argernon in a glowing embrace. Tiny, shimmering particles danced through the air and then gathered at Argernon’s body.

The adults nearby watched in stunned silence, eyes wide, holding their breath. Eventually, the light converged on Argernon and then slowly faded away. Within seconds, Argernon stirred, sniffing the air, shifting his little body, and checking himself over. He had made a complete recovery!

“Young Miss, this… This is…!!!”

Miss Elrose, who was usually so composed and hard to read, was practically stunned. She stared at Argernon like she had seen a miracle. Gilbert, on the other hand, just grinned and said, “That’s our miss! As expected!”

He kept repeating “as expected” for some reason, clearly proud. Mama Sonia’s eyes widened in surprise, too, but then, oddly, she gave a small nod, as if this all made sense to her.

And then, Argernon started squeaking at me as if he was trying to tell me something.

“Huh? What are you? Wait? With you? You want me to come with you?”

I could somehow feel that Argernon was trying to bring me with him.

“I see. That child is a familiar, isn’t he? So that’s how it is.” Mama Sonia seemed to understand something, while I was still completely lost. “It’s fine, Susie. Follow that child. And… as the daughter of the Cloud family, protect them all.”

Mama Sonia said with a determined expression. I turned to face her fully and nodded.

“Of course! I will protect everyone, I promise!”
“I know you’re strong, and I know I don’t need to worry… But still, please be careful.”
“I will.”
“You’re going to come back hungry, I’m sure. I’ll have a herb bird ready for you. Come home as soon as you can, okay?”
“Okay!”

I beamed with joy and nodded so hard my hair bounced. Argernon squeaked loudly, as if joining in my enthusiasm. Then, light began to rise from Argernon as the center, and in an instant, I was surrounded by it. And just like that, everything went white.

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